A better world is possible - Global Commons Institute

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Copyright Bruce Nixon 2010. All rights reserved. This electronic copy is provided free for personal, non-commercial use only. www.brucenixon.com “The largest movement in history” In his recent book, Blessed Unrest- How the largest social movement in history is restoring grace, justice and beauty to the world, Peter Hawken reckoned there may be as many as a million such organisations in 243 countries, some of which are available on the WiserEarth website. Someone said: “There are two great powers; USA and people power”. There is strength in numbers, if we are organised properly. Dr Olaseinde Arigbede, an activist working to empower small African farmers says: “If you are not organised, you cannot make change.” We cannot afford to be disengaged. The situation is far too serious and urgent to leave it to political and business leaders. We cannot depend on them to have the vision and values needed, to be wise, to act with integrity, do the right thing and do it soon enough. We have to hold them to account and insist on a better democracy in which citizens are properly represented and politicians are fully accountable. Global institutions must represent and serve equally all the people of the world. With our immense knowledge and resources, all the advances in science, medicine and technology, we can create a world in which everyone enjoys a good education, health, freedom from violence and the opportunity for a fulfilling life. The UN Millennium Goals could be fulfilled. There is no shortage of anything. The problem is how the Earth’s resources are distributed, used and wasted. We may be at a “Tipping Point” if enough of us get actively involved. There could not be a better moment in history to bring about a complete change in a global economic system that is both broken and unsustainable. 34
Copyright Bruce Nixon 2010. All rights reserved. This electronic copy is provided free for personal, non-commercial use only. www.brucenixon.com Chapter 4 – We face the biggest crisis in human history – Growth is not working January 2009 Anyone who believes exponential growth can go on forever in a finite world is either a madman or an economist. Kenneth Boulding, economist Introduction Collectively, we face the biggest crisis in human history – the possibility of abrupt and irreversible climate change. Of course there are dissenting voices. But even if climate change is not caused by human activity, which seems unlikely, there is still a problem. Every day there is more news about the potentially devastating effects of climate change. Floods in England first brought it home to us. Changes in our climate are increasingly apparent although relatively minor compared with the effects on other countries. The premier of the Maldives has plans to build up its land mass and ultimately to evacuate. Many other islands and low lying areas face a similar future. Moreover, oil is running out and will become increasingly expensive. Imagine a world; imagine London, your city, town or village Without abundant cheap oil – think of all those products derived from petrochemicals including plastics – oil is embedded in almost everything we consume Our climate has changed dramatically Seas have risen by a metre – remember London is in a flood plain! Food is expensive; widespread food, water and resource shortages are leading to desperation and conflict, wars and migration But also imagine the possibilities for a far better world and way of life! In the West, we have enjoyed over a century of unprecedented growth and prosperity based on astonishing technological innovation made possible by abundant supplies of cheap oil. Now we are at a turning point. We’ll need to turn our inherent creativity towards creating a new kind of world that is very different and better for everyone. The emerging situation is far more complex than climate change and Peak Oil. These five issues are inseparably linked. The big issues: Climate change Peak oil Destruction of the ecosystem on which all life depends Poverty and economic injustice Violence, War and the threat of nuclear annihilation A cynic might say we, in the “West”, are only waking up as climate change and Peak Oil start to hurt us, no longer just other people in remote countries. Climate change is a symptom of a malaise that is broader and 35
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